APRIL MEETING: Tues., April 15
“Approaching Big Corporations for Sponsorship Asks”
Carol Wheeler, Vice President & Professional Services Officer for Stormont-Vail Health Center, focused on techniques for asking for sponsorships. Employed by Stormont-Vail for 39 years in several clinical and non-clinical positions, she is a fellow in the American College of HealthCare Executives, past President of the Kansas Forum for Women Healthcare Executives, a member of Kansas Association for Healthcare Executives. Wheeler serves in several volunteer capacities in the community including Past President of the Rotary Club of Topeka, President elect of the YWCA, and Board Member for the American Red Cross. Mrs. Wheeler received a diploma in nursing from Stormont-Vail School of Nursing, a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Washburn University and certificate in Hospital Administration from the University of Minnesota.

April attendees pcaked the house.

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MARCH MEETING: Tues., March 18
“Innovative Marketing with a Contemporary Twist”
Lena Hayden has used her dual major in Spanish and Graphic Design, plus some practical advertising and marketing experience, to create the first-ever bilingual greeting card that translates in Spanish and English on the front of the card.
    Helped by First Step FastTrac entrepreneurial training offered through the Chamber/GO Topeka, Hayden conducted research to determine the feasibility of her business idea and continues to use survey tools and focus groups to develop more cards.
    Hayden designs the original artwork for Nos Vemos Greetings and has the cards printed locally.

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FEBRUARY MEETING: Tues., February 19
Our planned speaker was detained and could not attend our meeting. She may be rescheduled. Meanwhile, our Spring Fundraiser, the sale of frozen Bierocks, assembled by staff of the Alma Cheese Factory, was introduced as sampled. Orders must be placed in early March, with delivery at our March meeting. Funds will go toward a scholarship for a Washburn University student and for sending our president-elect to the national AWC conference in Seattle in Fall 2008.

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AFTER HOURS, Tues., February 12
Kick-off for our annual Membership Drive took place at Delicious Dishes, 1301 Gage Center Dr. Members and potential members enjoyed networking, appetizers and wine. Diana Mitchell and Kelli Hathaway, owners of Delicious Dishes, shared information about their meal assembly business. AWC officers shared info about our organization.

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JANUARY MEETING: Tues., January 15
“Welcome to our Digital Branch”
David Lee King is the Digital Branch & Services Manager at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, where he plans, implements, and experiments with emerging technology trends. He has spoken in the U.S. and Canada about emerging trends, website usability and management, digital experience planning, and managing techie staff, and has been published in many library-related journals. David described social changes taking place on the web and what the library is doing to turn their website into a digital branch. He writes the Internet Spotlight column in Public Libraries Magazine with Michael Porter. David maintains a blog.

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DECEMBER MEETING: Tues., December 18
“Holiday Party”
Members relaxed and enjoyed networking with fellow members of our group. Tables showcased items from members' businesses. Members were urged to bring donations for the YWCA Battered Women's Task Force.

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NOVEMBER MEETING: Tues., November 20
“Holiday Spending: Have a Debt Free Holiday”
Robert Baker joined Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. in 1997 as a Consumer Credit Counselor and a HUD certified Housing Counselor. His previous work experience includes teaching English, working as a Community Organizer and grant writer and working in the Performing Arts as a writer, producer and director. Mr. Baker has a BA in English Education and completed Master level course work at Penn State and Temple Universities in Philadelphia.
   Robert’s duties at HCCI include Tenant-Landlord, Credit and Housing counseling, as well as writing & teaching curriculum for education courses presented in the community.

OCTOBER MEETING: Tues., October 16
“One in Four Women:
Understanding Domestic Violence”
Laura Burten, has been with the YWCA Battered Women's Task Force for five years, serving as an intern, Sexual Assault Counselor, and in her current position as Public Education Coordinator. As Public Education Coordinator, she has spoken to hundreds of groups including community organizations, professional groups and middle school high school and university classes. Prior to working at the YWCA BWTF, she earned a degree in Political Science from Washburn University.

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SEPTEMBER MEETING: Tues., September 18
“The Nice Girl's Pathway to the Corner Office:
Making the Most of Being a Woman”
Dr. Barbara DeSanto is Chair of the Department of Mass Media , Washburn University. She finds that women often sell themselves short when thinking about their talents and accomplishments. This presentation will be an interactive look at how to make the most of who you are and what you have accomplished.
   Her professional media career included time as a reporter and editor in Minnesota and as a public relations practitioner in Florida. She earned her doctorate from Oklahoma State University in 1995 with emphasis in university curriculum development in mass communication and public relations. In addition to developing domestic communication courses and programs, she has established international public relations graduate and undergraduate programs with European universities in England, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden, and is a frequent invited instructor at those universities. Her research interests include developing international public relations curriculum, international public relations management, and gender and communication. She is the new educator's chair for PRSA's Educators Academy and a past head of AEJMC's Public Relations Division.